How to Fold Hospital or Military Corners on Your Bed

Learn how to fold tight corners on your bed sheets

Co-authored by Cleanzen Cleaning Services and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 4, 2024 Fact Checked

What sounds cozier: a messy, untucked bed or one that's freshly made with smooth, wrinkle-free sheets? If you picked the latter, then making hospital corners is the perfect way to make your bed. Hospital corners, or military corners, give your sheets a nice, crisp appearance, and they're so easy to do. In this article, we break down how to make hospital corners step-by-step so you can easily make your bedroom look tidier.

Things You Should Know

Lay a flat sheet on your bed so it hangs down evenly on all sides. Tuck the end of the sheet in at the foot of your bed.
Hold the edge of the sheet 12 in (30 cm) from the bottom. Fold it on top of your mattress so it forms a crease at a 45-degree angle.
Tuck the excess sheet hanging down by the corner under the mattress. Then, fold the angled sheet down to tuck in the side.
Fold the other corner of the sheet the same way. Pull the sheet tight to smooth out the wrinkles when you’re finished.

1

Drape a flat sheet over your mattress.

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Spread the sheet out so it hangs evenly on all sides. If you have a fitted sheet, put it on your mattress first. To start making your bed , lay out your flat sheet and align the top edge with the head of your bed. Adjust the sides and bottom end of the sheet until the same amount hangs down from the sides and foot of your bed.
- You can also just use a flat rectangular sheet if you don’t have a fitted sheet. In that case, make sure the top edge of the sheet at the head of your bed hangs down the same distance.
- If you have a blanket you want to tuck in with hospital corners as well, lay it out on top of the flat sheet.

2

Tuck the end of the sheet under your mattress.

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Pull the sheet taut after tucking it in to get rid of wrinkles. Slightly lift up the foot of your mattress and push the end of the sheet underneath it. Carefully set your mattress back down again so your sheet doesn’t bunch up. ^{[1]
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Research source} ^{[2]
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Expert Source

Cleanzen Cleaning Services
Residential Cleaning Specialists

Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.}
- Tug lightly on the outer ends of the sheet that are still hanging down to help keep it taut and smooth.
- If you do not have a fitted sheet underneath, tuck the flat sheet in at the head of your bed too.
- If the sheet bunches up when you put your mattress down, run the handle of a wooden spoon under your mattress to push the sheet and smooth it out.

3

Grab the excess sheet at one of the corners.

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You can start with either of the bottom corners of your bed. Use one hand to hold onto the sheet’s loose edge 12 in (30 cm) up from the corner. Then, set your other hand on the corner of your mattress to keep the end of the sheet in place. ^{[3]
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Research source}

4

Lay the edge of your sheet on top of your bed.

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Make the crease at a 45-degree angle when you set the sheet down. Hold the corner of your mattress with one hand as you lift the side of the sheet. Set the sheet down on top of your mattress so it looks like a folded triangle. ^{[4]
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- Some excess fabric will still drape down from the corner of your mattress. ^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Cleanzen Cleaning Services
  Residential Cleaning Specialists
  
  Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.}

5

Tuck in the excess sheet at the end of your bed.

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Find the small excess triangle still draping down from the corner of the mattress. Keep the sheet flat when you tuck it in to give your bed a nice, clean appearance. ^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Cleanzen Cleaning Services
Residential Cleaning Specialists

Expert Interview. 4 February 2022.}

6

Tuck in the sheet folded on top of your bed.

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Fold the angled sheet down tightly so you smooth out the wrinkles. Lift up the section of the sheet you folded over earlier, and bring it back down to the bottom of your mattress. Work from the foot end of your bed and tuck the sheet all the way up toward the head of your bed so it doesn’t hang loose. ^{[7]
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- Use your hand to smooth out any wrinkles that appear on the side of your mattress as you tuck.

7

Repeat the process on the other corner.

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Make the same folds on the other side of your sheet so it looks uniform. Hold onto the sheet 12 inches (30 cm) from the end on the other side of your bed, and fold it at a 45-degree angle. Then, simply tuck in the small corner of excess fabric at the corner. Wrap up by bringing the angled section of the sheet back down and tucking in the loose edge.
- If you’re making a military bed and aren’t using a fitted sheet, then fold hospital corners on the corners at the head of your bed as well.

8

Smooth out the wrinkles on top of your bed.

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Finish up to give your bed a fresh and clean look. Run your hands over the sheet, starting from the foot of your bed and moving toward the head of your mattress. Try to get out as many wrinkles and creases as you can. ^{[8]
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- Fluff your pillow and put it at the head of your bed to finish making it .
- Top your bed with a quilt or duvet for the finishing touches.

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Question

Is the top sheet a specific size to do this? If so, what size?

Community Answer

it would be best to use a top sheet that is fitted for your bed, (ex. king, queen, full, twin).

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Question

What should I do if the bed is against a wall and I cannot pull it out to gain access for tucking it in on the wall side of the mattress?

Community Answer

In this case, it is best to undo the final step of one of the corners that is not against the wall and try to copy it on the other side.

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Tips

It takes a few times to really master making a tight hospital corner. If your sheets aren’t as tight as you want them, just untuck and try again.

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Buy sheets that are meant for the size of your bed so they fit properly.

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How to Fold Hospital or Military Corners on Your Bed

Things You Should Know

Steps

Drape a flat sheet over your mattress.

Tuck the end of the sheet under your mattress.

Grab the excess sheet at one of the corners.

Lay the edge of your sheet on top of your bed.

Tuck in the excess sheet at the end of your bed.

Tuck in the sheet folded on top of your bed.

Repeat the process on the other corner.

Smooth out the wrinkles on top of your bed.

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